Defensive ends soaking up salary cap in New Orleans
 

Jan. 4, 2008


Saints DE Charles Grant regressed in 2007, just after New Orleans had signed him to a monstrous seven-year deal that is worth up to $63 million, with almost a third of it guaranteed. Grant, who was hindered by a nagging ankle injury, had just 2½ sacks — which tied his career low — after recording six last season and also had 10 fewer tackles than the year before. His decline comes as his counterpart, DE Will Smith, nears the end of his contract, which expires after the 2008 season. Smith’s production shrunk slightly in ’07 as well, but he still outperformed Grant while snagging seven sacks. We hear the Saints’ front office planned on offering Smith an extension similar to Grant’s, but that would be an insult at this point, considering how much better Smith has played. New Orleans GM Mickey Loomis is going to have to offer Smith a huge sum if he’s interested in keeping Smith in the Crescent City.

Re: Defensive ends soaking up salary cap in New Orleans
 

my bad the link is............ New Orleans - Pro Football Weekly

Re: Defensive ends soaking up salary cap in New Orleans
 

Wow $63M an insult? I am not sure Smith is worth even that. Good and likeable guy and most tell me lack of an interior line hampered him but still he does not appear to be a dominant end to me. But what do I know.

Re: Defensive ends soaking up salary cap in New Orleans
 

Smith also had a down year IMO. I believe the lack of pressure up the middle defintely hurt both ends. I would really like to see Ellis or the big tackle from Texas start next year. With Hollis Thomas next to him they would easily require double teams in turn giving the ends one on one with opposing OT's. With the pocket being collapsed and no where to step up to, Smith & Grant could easily end up with 25 + between them.(sacks)

Re: Defensive ends soaking up salary cap in New Orleans
 

I think Grant is better than his statistics have shown. Has he played to his potential? - no. But does he have that potential? - yes. He's certainly got the right motor.

A) we need more pressure from the tackles (as mv just said).
B) we need better LB play
C) we need better blitzing schemes.

If those three things happen (as they SHOULD happen, because there's **no excuse** for them NOT happening), then I think both Smith's and Grant's statistics will skyrocket. I really believe that.

Re: Defensive ends soaking up salary cap in New Orleans
 

Well it would have been nice to hear the phrase:
Coverage sack at least once last year.

Re: Defensive ends soaking up salary cap in New Orleans
 

I totally agree, there's no better help for the passrush than good coverage, and vice versa.

Re: Defensive ends soaking up salary cap in New Orleans
 

Still, 63 million is one helluva paycheck. But... that's spread over 7 years, of course, and what player actually plays through the entire life of their contract? No one. He will never get all of that money, none of them do. After a two or three years, he'll be asked to restructure, just like everyone else.

Here's an interesting thought. He's got a big contract, yeah, similar to someone else I can think of. But at least he's not sitting in jail (can anyone guess I'm thinking of Michael Vick?). So really, I guess it could be worse.